Accelerated angiogenesis by continuous medium flow with vascular endothelial growth factor inside tissue-engineered...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Tissue engineering of complex organs like the trachea requires effective methods for cell survival, delivery, and vascularization.
• DegraPol scaffolds offer a promising biomaterial for tracheal prostheses, but their integration with host tissues needs optimization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of continuous medium flow within DegraPol scaffolds on reepithelialization and revascularization for tissue-engineered trachea.
• To assess the viability of tracheal epithelial sheets and chondrocyte delivery under intra-scaffold perfusion.
• To investigate angiogenesis within the scaffold using the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model.

Main Methods:

• A continuous medium flow was established in tubular DegraPol scaffolds using a porous catheter and pump system.
• The survival of tracheal epithelial sheets and chondrocyte delivery were studied in vitro.
• Angiogenesis was assessed in vivo using the CAM model, with and without vascular endothelial growth factor/vascular permeability factor (VEGF/VPF).

Main Results:

• Continuous medium flow maintained an intact epithelial layer over 2 weeks.
• Histology revealed three-dimensional cell growth with continuous delivery.
• The CAM assay demonstrated enhanced angiogenesis in DegraPol scaffolds when VEGF/VPF was added to the perfusate.

Conclusions:

• The integrated perfusion system in DegraPol scaffolds successfully supported tracheal epithelial integrity and cell delivery.
• The system maintained efficient VEGF/VPF expression, accelerating angiogenic response.
• This design functions as an in vivo bioreactor, advancing tissue-engineered reconstruction of the trachea and other organs.